Gum Disease Treatment Richardson

What is Gum Disease?

If your gums are tender, red, or swollen, or if they bleed easily, you may suffer from periodontal disease. Gum disease is a degenerative condition caused by bacteria in plaque, which accumulate on the teeth. When not treated, it can result in the loss of teeth, gum tissue, and bone. While this infection is not curable in its late stages, we can treat the symptoms and keep it under control to protect your oral health. Our dentists can provide gum disease treatment to help prevent the serious effects of the condition.

Scaling & Root Planing

Scaling and root planing is a two-step process that allows our team to dramatically reduce the prevalence of harmful oral bacteria within the mouth to stop the infection from progressing. We’ll clear away all plaque and tartar from the surface of the teeth as far down as the pockets of the gums as well as remove hardened deposits of bacteria on the roots of the teeth. The goal is to help your gums reattach to the surface of your teeth to protect the underlying root structures.

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Periodontal Maintenance

Gum disease treatment, also known as periodontal maintenance, involves visiting our dental office on a regular basis, typically once every three months, for a professional cleaning. These treatments include thorough cleanings both above and below the gumline, removing plaque, tartar, and bacteria to prevent the condition from worsening.

Periodontal maintenance is recommended every three months because when biofilm is not removed, harmful oral bacteria begin to flourish within four to 12 weeks. With a cleaning every three months, we are able to remove these bacteria and keep the condition under control. To learn more about periodontal maintenance and how we can treat gum disease, we welcome you to call or visit our office today.

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Laser Gum Disease Treatment

During scaling and root planing treatment, we may employ the use of our soft tissue laser to help effortlessly and precisely remove severely damaged tissue, as well as kill harmful oral bacteria. The laser is able to cauterize the area to minimize bleeding, speed up recovery time, and minimize post-operative side-effects like bleeding and discomfort.

Gingivectomy

If needed, our team can complete a gingivectomy in cases where progressed periodontal disease has severely damaged the gums. This surgical procedure involves removing the damaged gum tissue to ensure only healthy tissue remains, and we’re able to complete this procedure using our advanced soft tissue laser to offer a more comfortable experience.

Antibiotic Treatment

In combination with any of the procedures above, we may also recommend antibiotic treatment to help fight off the effects of harmful oral bacteria. The medication will help slow or cease the progression of the infection as well as help prevent reinfection after treatment.